Families together through video teleconferencing

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. A.C. Eggman
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan (AFPN) --  “Daddy, where are you? When will you be home?” 7-year-old Gabrielle Hamed asked repeatedly.

“Daddy, I miss you,” chimed in sister Annalyn, 8, daughter of Master Sgt. Roger Hamed, who is deployed to Iraq.

Friends and families had a rare opportunity Dec. 13 to see and talk via video teleconferencing with several Misawa Airmen deployed to Balad Air Base, Iraq.

The 332nd Expeditionary Communications Squadron at Balad and the 35th Communication Squadrons here coordinated the call so families could have about 15 minutes each.

“It was really nice to talk to him and see him at the same time,” Nora Hamed said. “I wish we could do it all the time.”

Sergeant Hamed, from the 35th Maintenance Squadron here, deployed in September and is expected home in late January.

“It’s the first and only chance I have to see them before I come home,” said Sergeant Hamed. “This is great, especially with the children and near the holidays.”

This is the first time Misawa places a morale VTC call to Balad. Normally, a morale call would be made from the family support center. However, the center and Balad systems are incompatible. So the Misawa squadron offered to make the call from their system, which is compatible with Balad’s VTC system.

“The key thing is we work as a team,” said Maj. Bill Poirier, 35th’s commander. “We have the capability to provide [the service] as long as it doesn’t conflict with mission requirements. We will deliver the best capability for the families left behind and our warfighters down range.”

Seven of 16 deployed Misawa members made calls. Some single Airmen chose not to participate while other family members felt it would be too hard to see their loved one so close to their return date, said Jacqueline Schniers, a squadron readiness assistance volunteer. She called squadron and family members all weekend to ensure everyone knew of the opportunity.

“Most spouses were very excited,” she said. “For some people it’s harder than waiting until they get home.”

It was the children who showed the most enthusiasm, often speaking all at one time. Topics ranged from school, the weather, food and, of course, Santa Claus. Some of the younger children just wanted mom or dad to know they were missed.

Three-year-old Christian Ellis, son of Staff Sgt. Christopher and deployed Senior Airman April Ellis, 35th Maintenance Squadron, had only one comment he repeated over and over again – “I miss you mama!”

The military has used video teleconferencing to meet mission requirements and improve communication for many years. A movement began in 1999 to purchase and use video teleconferencing to improve morale and family communication.